Crossword Genius

Denisovich perhaps one person leading way (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ivan

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'denisovich perhaps' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'one person leading way' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'person leading' becomes 'va' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'way' becomes 'n' (Compass direction - North).
'i'+'va'+'n'='IVAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ivan that I've seen before include "terrible tyrant" , "One Day in the Life of - Denisovich (Solzhenitsyn)" , "First Russian tsar, 1547-84" , "A Russian emperor, quite Terrible" , "__ Lendl, Czech-born American tennis star" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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